Fully vaccinated travellers to VI may be exempted from rapid test on arrival
This has been facilitated by the COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Entry of Persons) (No. 3) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations, 2021 published yesterday, November 16, 2021.
The regulations have been amended “by deleting the words “five days” and substituting with the words “forty-eight hours.”
The amended version now reads that “A person who is fully vaccinated and presents a RTPCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 negative test result taken no later than 48 hours before arrival in the Territory and his or her vaccination card in accordance with regulation 5 shall (a) not be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival into the Territory; and (b) be allowed to move freely within the Territory, subject to adhering to the relevant COVID-19 enactments and protocols in the Territory, including the relevant physical distancing protocols, wearing of masks and sanitisation measures.”
The local Rapid Test costs $50.
Cruise ship passengers or crew members
with a RT-PCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test before arrival
in the Territory will not be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon
arrival into the Virgin Islands.
Delayed Passengers must be tested
The order further said a person who would have obtained his or her RTPCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 negative test result taken no later than 48 hours before arrival in the Territory but is unable to present the results to enter the Territory within the 48 hours’ time period, for reasons such as delays and overnight layovers, “shall be required to undertake a rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test on the day of arrival in the Territory.”
Cruise passengers
For passengers arriving on cruise ships, the order said a fully vaccinated cruise ship passenger or crew member who embarks a cruise vessel with a RT-PCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test before arrival in the Territory in accordance with the Cruise Protocols and Operation Plan shall (a) not be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival into the Territory; and (b) be allowed to move freely within the Territory, subject to adhering to the relevant COVID-19 enactments and protocols in the Territory, including the relevant physical distancing protocols, wearing of masks and sanitisation measures.”
